Bangkok Warns Litterbugs To Clean Up Their Act

[george]

City warns litterbugs to clean up their act

BANGKOK: -- People caught littering in public places after Oct 1 will receive a minimum fine of 100 baht, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra says.

Litterbugs would receive a verbal warning this month before the city kicked off its anti-litter campaign.

The 1992 Cleanliness and Orderliness Act states that people caught littering face a fine of up to 2,000 baht.

The campaign, to be piloted in the Victory Monument area, will be strictly enforced throughout the capital by November. Each district and thesakit city inspector will take half of the fine each.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-09-04

[Who, me ?]

I thought that such a law was already in place...

[Losangels]

Some trash can/bin might help.

I guess not-can't make extra money that way

[nowork114]

Sounds like another crackdown is coming ...

[DP25]

Some trash can/bin might help.

I guess not-can't make extra money that way

They used to have some trash cans in Bangkok. They removed them because of bomb fears. Hopefully they will bring them back and start fining lots of people, especially Thais and not just the occasional farang with a ciggie for 2000 baht.

[BangkokHank]

Up till now this law has only been enforced against foreigners. Perhaps the authorities finally realized that it is Thais who do most of the littering in Thailand. Interesting, though, that the fine for Thais will only be 100 baht - while for foreigners it's 2,000 baht.

I was once stopped by a desperate cop in front of the Ploenchit Center for dropping a cigarette. When I told the cop - in Thai - that I don't smoke, he sheepishly backed away, taking his false accusation with him.

[phetaroi]

Up till now this law has only been enforced against foreigners. Perhaps the authorities finally realized that it is Thais who do most of the littering in Thailand. Interesting, though, that the fine for Thais will only be 100 baht - while for foreigners it's 2,000 baht.

I was once stopped by a desperate cop in front of the Ploenchit Center for dropping a cigarette. When I told the cop - in Thai - that I don't smoke, he sheepishly backed away, taking his false accusation with him.

You're wrong on this. A couple of years ago when they were doing this in front of Central World I stood on the walkover for a while and watched. They stopped both Thais and farang, although admittedly more farang.

[bkkjames]

Up till now this law has only been enforced against foreigners. Perhaps the authorities finally realized that it is Thais who do most of the littering in Thailand. Interesting, though, that the fine for Thais will only be 100 baht - while for foreigners it's 2,000 baht.

I was once stopped by a desperate cop in front of the Ploenchit Center for dropping a cigarette. When I told the cop - in Thai - that I don't smoke, he sheepishly backed away, taking his false accusation with him.

You're wrong on this. A couple of years ago when they were doing this in front of Central World I stood on the walkover for a while and watched. They stopped both Thais and farang, although admittedly more farang.

Look at it this way, when you get caught littering next time, by law it will only be 100 Baht. It will make the boys in green work 20x harder for their 2000.

[noahvail]

Look at it this way, when you get caught littering next time, by law it will only be 100 Baht. It will make the boys in green work 20x harder for their 2000.

The newsclip said it's a minimum of 100 baht, maximum of 2,000. Wonder who's gonna cop the 2,000 baht fines?

[bkkjames]

well if they go any lower than 100 baht, not much point in having a min. Didn't read the article so bear with me, did they give any indication or examples...such as

1. plastic bag - 400 baht and two wais?

2. phone card - 101 baht and one "I am sorry?"

3. cig butt - 2000 baht and a "please come back soon?"

4. 4 gallons of used motor oil - free.

5. M150 bottle - 223.25 baht?

[Tod Daniels]

There is a ตำรวจเทศกิจ (daum-ruat thaeht-sa-git) or more commonly called just plain เทศกิจ (thaeht-sa-git) station at the mouth of my soi. They work for the Bangkok Municipal Government and are known as city code enforcers. I affectionately call them ตำรวจขยะ (daum-ruat ka-ya) “litter police” but they don't seem to like it much.

I think it was interesting to read in the article where it was mentioned the issuing officer and the district will "split" the fine. Quite an incentive, and now I know why they routinely use walkie-talkies to watch, and ultimately intercept the evil foreign litterbugs along Sukhumvit with so much zeal and fervor.

When I asked them if they target foreigners or thais they looked at me as if I was stupid and said, "Foreigners of course, thais have no money..". I mentioned the article I saw in the paper and they said once or twice a year someone makes that statement but they never change what they do on the street.

While I stood there, 4 different foreigners were sheepishly led up like lambs to slaughter, shown the laminated 'rules' in what passes for engrish here, dutifully paid their 2000 baht and went on their way. Coincidentally while I was talking to the head officer in the station box, more than a few thais exited 7/11 and promptly threw things down in my line of vision (so in his vision too) but weren't given even a passing glance.

They also mediate in overgrown trees, errant power lines, and other things. They were in my yard last week in full force, 5 or more of them, a regular "dog and pony show". The neighbor's tree had the audacity to grow its branches over the fence into our yard, and then drop leaves in OUR yard forcing the worthless as tits on a tomcat Mae-baan to actually do her job and keep the yard clean. Of course raking up the neighbor’s leaves was too much for her to bear, and she called the thaeht-sa-git who came out to mediate; evidently having forgone catching foreign litterbugs for the time being. Sadly the outcome was not good, and now all our trees are hacked to pieces, as are the neighbors. Sometimes it doesn't pay to involve the authorities.

I personally hate litterbugs, no matter their nationality, and go out of my way not to litter here. Then again, lowering the minimum fine to 100 baht will at least give the thaeht-sa-git some incentive to fine thais too. I’m all for it.

Now if there was just a reward for catching foreigners who litter or who are on overstay and I’d make real money here.

Edited September 4, 2009 by tod-daniels